McCook girl reflects on state final to cap first varsity season

McCook junior Brooklynn Gillen shakes with Elkhorn North's Sophia Jones following their No. 1 vs. No. 2 state finals showdown in Tuesday's Class B state title match for No. 2 singles players.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

LINCOLN, Neb. — Fighting off tears was proving about as tough for Brooklynn Gillen as her fourth consecutive Class B state tournament win Tuesday morning.

“I’m almost ready to cry. It’s just so exciting and I’m really happy — not just for me but for everyone here from our town,” McCook’s No. 2 singles player said just after winning her semifinal in two sets 6-2, 6-2. “So many people traveled to come watch us (the Bison) play and that really meant a lot to me. I had to give it my all for them.”

Then let those happy tears fall like raindrops because Brooklyn more than achieved her goal.

More than a few McCook High tennis fans, alums and friends cheered on the Bison girls during their Class B state tournament action this week where they placed No. 3.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

After winning three matches on Monday, the three-sport athlete looked even sharper against No. 3-seed Bennington Badger Maria Rodriguez Munoz.

Her serves were strong, lob shots rarely veered off-course and those cross-court shots were often true killers.

Gillen even seemed to mix in some “no-look” tries that resembled any confident point guard or chubby ping-pong players (reference to a Gazette sports slug).

“I knew I couldn’t take it easy. Her (few) losses were all to good players,” No. 2-seeded Gillen said. “I had to play my best, stay in it mentally and physically. Never let down.”

Much like a bases-loaded challege in softball or the final seconds of tough basketball contests.

Brooklynn has seen just about everything during her three busy Bison high school seasons including the Class B state title match Tuesday afternoon.

Sure enough, she never seemed to blink against an even stronger challenge: undefeated No. 1-seed Sophia Jones of eventual team champion Elkhorn North.

Brooklyn built a quick 4-1 lead in the first set, something Jones has surely rarely seen during her 36-0 season.

Jones responded like a champion, rallying to win six of those next seven games for the 7-5 first-set victory.

Sadly for all those super McCook faithful, Jones maintained this momentum en route to the 6-1 title-clinching victory.

Yet nothing changes about Brooklynn’s brilliant 38-2 season — especially since this was her FIRST full varsity season.

“I was definitely a little nervous because I hadn’t played singles before,” she concluded.

Imagine what she might do in year No. 2.